New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-11
ExAM1yG TELEPHONE COMPANIES.

EARNINGS AND EXPENSES OF THE STATEN ISLAND
| CORPoRATIoN-THE COMMITTEE BEGINs WORK.
Tho Assembly Committee appointed to investigate
the operat ions of all telephone companies In This
state began session in this city yesterday at the
Coal and Exchange at Church and Cortlandt ats
The committee appointed by the last Legislature
on motion Of Assemblyman Erwin In consequence OF
alleged excessive charges for telephone service In this
State and allegations those companies were com
PEELED TO pay eXtoronac rates to the American BELL
Telephone Company Of Massachusetts for instruments
In The committee has already held sessions in
Utica, Saratoga, Troy Rochester and Buffalo I'm tho
order named. 1t consists Of ID. f. Answorth Of
Oswego, chairman Charles p. Saxton, Of Wayne;
Floyd G. Hadey, Of Franklin; samuel Conover OF
IVES chester, and George Dickey, Of ROckland County
The examination Of the Staten Island Telephone
Company whose ofiico is at No. 10 COrtlandtst was
first taken up Other companies to be examined
here are the Wcschestcr New York and Pennsylvania
New-York and Jersey, Hudson River and Metro
politan. In the absence OF Mr. AinswOrh yesterday,
Mr. saxton presided. j. H. Camp. as counsel of the
various companics, watched the proceedings and
crosse1amincd witnesses. NJ. J. Myers, OF Syracuse,
pres ent as expert
The first witness Charles f. Cutler, the prcsf-
den. Of the Staten Island Telephone Company. The
present company, he said, was organized In Septem-
Der, 1883, with capital stock of $4,000 This was
subsequently increased to $4,000, Of which $4,000
went for the purchase OF the old Staten Island Tce
phone Company, limited and $4,000 to the Metro
pOltan Telephone Company for territorial rights. A
royalty Of cid also paid to the Metropolitan Com
pany on each instrument. The Staten Island Com
pany charged subscribers from 500 for one mile or
less distance to 500 year. There were at present
272 subscribers.
Joel g. Clark the secretary and treasurer of the
company callel on 10 give statistics of the com
pany's earnings and expenses. Tho gross earnings
down to December 81 last he said, were S4S,4O0
expenses SoG0l leaving the net earnings S21 493
on which dividends OF $50 700 had been declared. TIC
president and secretary had salary. although tho
year The auditor got 5000 year. the general man
agcr $500 one lineman 500 a month. and two female
operators s25 month. The general manager acted
tor other companies
Tho COMMITTEES anxious to secure details OF
tho companys expenses, whereupOn Mr. camp eN-
planned that tho company 80 small thai II had not
kept such detailed account "a was customary IN
larger companies Vouchers, however. could b. pro
duccl and 1t promised that all Hight possible on
tho mlnutip OF expense should be afforded the com
mittcc. Mr.. Clark had heard Of no complaint against
the company because OF charges or service Nothing
was pail the Bell Company all went To the Metro
potan, which had Its license from the Bel corpor
alton. The Metropolitan Company still held the
$45 600 in stock, but was not represented In the
81 aten Island board Of directors The cost OF the
cUmpanys plant Including It's franchise mp 10 DO
cember 81 last, SI25 800. giving relative ak
uual per cent OF net earnings TO cost Of 4 -.
The examination OF the New York and Pcnnsy lvania
Telephone Company will be begun at 10 a H. oday.